Emojis: Making Them Part of Your Millennial Social Marketing Campaign

Millennials are proving to be the generation that is not willing to wait around. From instant online ordering to voice command text messages, we strategically plan everything to take as little time as possible.

So, it should not be surprising that we are finding text messages taking up too much time and have found another solution… emojis. Sending a simple emoji can answer a question, convey an emotion and so much more, all with the convenience of hitting only one key.

Today, as many as 92 percent of online consumers say they use emojis in some capacity, with 78 percent of women and 60 percent of men using emojis several times per week. Considered the fasted growing language in the U.K., emojis have taken over the way millennials communicate.

As millennials become one of the primary targets for companies across many industries, the question remains: How do you communicate your message to individuals who don’t want to read it?

One solution is to use a language they understand and include emojis in your marketing campaign. Pretty straightforward, right? Add in a few emojis and millennials will begin absorbing your content. The numbers show it’s worth your while.

With these strong social media statistics it’s no wonder why almost eight times as many marketers are using emojis in their campaigns compared to last year. Companies that have already jumped on the emoji bandwagon are mastering how to interact with customers while also staying true to their brand message.

Bud Light tweeted an American Flag on the Fourth of July made entirely out of emojis. This was a simple tweet but it allowed Bud Light to remind Americans that a great way to celebrate is drinking beer, especially Bud Light – and they didn’t have to say a single word.

General Electric created a periodic table of elements using emojis. Users could then click on each emoji, bringing up a fun and exciting science lesson.

Burger King created a custom emoji keyboard to announce the permanent addition of chicken fries to their menu. A customized keyboard allows users to communicate in a language they prefer, while also creating brand awareness.

Just like all aspects of any marketing campaign, it’s important to keep in mind the best ways to connect with consumers.

Be sure to use emojis in the correct marketing materials. Since emojis help take every day language and create something simple, they are great for social media or basic marketing material. However, they have the ability to decrease a company’s credibility if not used correctly, so avoid including them in a press releases.

Remember to use them sparingly. Emojis are supposed to help save time when reading, so don’t string too many together to create a sentence. Individuals can spend more time trying to decipher the emojis than if you just typed the sentence out in words.

Individuals tend to use face emojis, including the “tears of joy”, to express how they are feeling.

Brands lean toward more eye-catching emojis, such as “the flame”, that evoke an emotional response.

Some of the most common overlapping emojis between brands and individuals are the “thumbs up,” “heart” and “monkey covering its eyes.”

EVR Advertising is a full service agency based in Manchester, N.H. providing strategic, creative and digital services for marketing communications. We genuinely care about our clients, listen and learn about their business and passionately deliver successful results. We hold our clients in high regard and make every effort to be held in the same high regard in return.